welcome to "world news." and tonight, there is breaking news. now, a major attack on an american base in afghanistan. two marines dead. martha raddatz standing by with the latest. also tonight, coming home. the solemn return for the four americans killed in libya. the caskets brought off the plane. the president, the secretary of state, their families waiting. while overseas, those fiery protests continue to spread. now, in 30 countries. our team on it all. the royal fight. new tonight. buckingham palace suing over those photos of kate. an outraged prince william defending his wife, as the palace remembers what happened to his mother. >> hi, david! and made in america is back, and the simple question tonight -- is the next million dollar invention sitting right in your home? tonight, you're going to say, why didn't i think of that? captions paid for by abc, inc.

good evening. diane is on assignment tonight. and we do begin here with breaking news. we're learning just a moment ago of an attack on a base in afghanistan. two u.s. marines have been killed. we don't know if it's related to the same anti-american protests raging in the region, but it does come on a day when america witnessed a somber homecoming. ♪ sean smith, glen doherty, tyrone woods and u.s. ambassador chris stevens. their caskets met by their grieving families, the president and secretary of state clinton. the first time in more than 30 years a u.s. ambassador has been killed by violence. we'll have more on what the president and the secretary of state said to the families and to the nation in just a moment. but first, we're going to get back to the latest on those afghanistan attacks we're learning of. abc's senior foreign affairs correspondent, martha raddatz in washington tonight.

martha, what do we know? >> reporter: this is what we know right now. it was a big attack on camp bastion in southern afghanistan. this is a base divided between a british side and an american side, and it was a complex attack involving many militants. as you said, two marines killed, three or four wounded and two harrier aircraft damaged. the attack was carried out with rockets and small arms fire. it is apparently coming under control now, though, david. >> and martha, as we said at the top of the broadcast, we don't know if this is related to the unrest in the other part of that region, but we learned late this afternoon that this is the same base where prince harry is serving? >> reporter: it is. camp bastion is where prince harry's based, but on the other side, we believe, where the attack occurred. and we don't know whether this had anything to do with that anti-muslim film. >> in fact, all we know at this hour, two u.s. marines have been killed. we'll have more on this throughout the evening. but martha, you and i spent the afternoon reporting on that very somber homecoming for those four

americans killed in libya. >> reporter: we certainly did, david. and as you said, there hasn't been an ambassador killed in a violent attack in over 30 years. it was ambassador chris stevens' flag-draped casket that was first brought off the cargo plane. u.s. marines making the sad, solemn walk to the hangar where the families, the secretary, the president waited to honor all of the dead. >> four americans, four patriots. they loved this country. and they chose to serve it and served it well. they knew the danger, and they accepted it. they didn't simply embrace the american ideal, they lived it. >> reporter: for secretary clinton, it was personal. >> i was honored to know ambassador chris stevens.

chris won friends for the united states in far-flung places. he made those people's hopes his own. during the revolution in libya, he risked his life to help protect the libyan people from a tyrant. >> reporter: she spoke of all those lost when the benghazi consulate was attacked by armed militants. sean smith, the technology specialist, who leaves two young children behind. tyrone woods, a former navy s.e.a.l., the father of three little boys. and his fellow former s.e.a.l., glen doherty, a beloved son and brother. >> we've seen rage and violence directed at american embassies over an awful internet video that we had nothing to do with. it is hard for the american people to make sense of that because it is senseless. >> reporter: but the message of today was not just of grief. it was resolve.

>> so we will wipe away our tears, stiffen our spines and face the future undaunted. >> reporter: indeed, the state department is in crisis mode, sending additional security to embassies around the world. david? >> martha, thank you. and martha, as you know, the reason for all of that concern tonight is this. an eruption of protests, big and small. in fact, 24 hours ago, in five countries around the globe. tonight, more than 30 countries. two more u.s. embassies stormed, even the new president of egypt, a member of the muslim brotherhood, now calling for calm in his country. abc's lama hasan is on the ground there in cairo tonight. lama? >> reporter: david, that anger and those protests are flaring up again tonight. the protesters here are seething with anger, all aimed at america. in cairo today, the u.s. embassy under siege. running battles between

protesters hurling rocks and security forces firing back tear gas and water cannons, using a newly erected concrete wall to defend the embassy. what is it that you want right now? >> a promise from the american government that will not happen the next year or any other year anymore and all governments stop disrespecting muslims. stop disrespecting our religion. >> reporter: it is fury fueled by that online movie mocking the prophet muhammad. in tahrir square right now, we have crowds gathering. they're carrying the islamic declaration of faith, "there is no god but allah, and muhammad is his prophet." today, the protests spread across the globe. in sudan, protesters stormed the u.s. embassy before being stopped. this after setting the german headquarters on fire. in tunisia, black smoke billowed from the u.s. embassy after protesters attacked it. two demonstrators killed. in yemen, the crowd charged the embassy and was dispersed by

police. 50 u.s. marines are now on their way to secure it. in lebanon, crowds torched another symbol of america, a kfc restaurant and broke the windows of a hardee's. all this, just as the pope arrived to the region, spreading a message of peace and tolerance. back here in cairo, it is clear the violence could have been worse. after president obama called egypt's new leader mohammed morsi, morsi reversed course and urged the protesters to hold off, saying, "it is required by our religion to protect our guests and their homes and places of work. so i call on all, consider this, consider the law and not attack embassies." but not all the protesters are listening to the president's calls for calm. tonight, near the u.s. embassy, street battles rage on. david? >> lama hasan, thank you. and that phone call that lama mentioned between president obama and egypt's president morsi helping to defuse some of the tension today, a window into the high stakes negotiations now

underwait the white house. and so, here is abc's chief correspondent, white house correspondent as well, jake tapper. >> reporter: president obama worked the phones, calling the leader of nations where u.s. diplomatic posts were attacked, from libya, to egypt to yemen, pushing for them to ensure their country's security is in place to protect americans. this afternoon, president obama notified congress he was sending combat equipped marines to libya and yemen to protect american interests. >> even in our grief we will be resolute. >> reporter: and amid the mourning today for the four explain americans, the president made a promise. >> we will bring to justice those who took them from us. >> reporter: but the obama administration faces serious questions about whether it was as prepared as it could have been, if it missed any intelligence, of insufficient planning on the anniversary of 9/11. >> why was there not adequate security around ambassador stevens? >> there was a security presence. it was, unfortunately, not enough to resist the attacks

that we saw and resulted in the tragic loss of life, but there was security. >> reporter: and the white house said the attack seemed to have been motivated by the anti-muslim movie. but on capitol hill, members of the senate armed services committee said it seems more serious than that. >> they were a well-planned and professional terrorist act against the u.s. consulate in benghazi. >> reporter: david, one other development today. the national security council here at the white house has reached out to youtube to find out if their posting of that anti-muslim film violates the terms of use. david? >> and of course, sparking so much unrest. jake tapper at his post at the white house. jake, thank you. all of this, of course, unfolding in an election year. american voters have been watching president obama and republican presidential candidate mitt romney. how they're handling this, how they're reacting to it. and tonight, for governor romney, new numbers he's facing, as well, in key battleground states of ohio, florida and virginia. as we pull out, we can show you the map tonight. and in all of those three key

battlegrounds, president obama is now, in fact, pulling ahead. this is key. so we want to turn to our senior political correspondent jon karl to tell us more about what's happening tonight. jon, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, david. it looks like president obama got a real boost out of his convention. and now, mitt romney is scrambling to catch up. for the romneys this morning, it was all laughs, as they taped an interview to air on tuesday's "live with kelly and michael." >> and what does mitt wear to bed? >> really? really? >> i didn't write the question, man. i promise. i didn't write the question. >> yes, he did. >> i hear the best answer is "as little as possible." >> reporter: but when it comes to the campaign, it looks bad for romney. worse than at any time since he clinched the republican nomination in may. first, those new polls in ohio, virginia and florida. they're the three biggest battleground states and romney is tanking in all of them. and the big picture is even worse for romney. take a look at this. the eight states abc news lists

this week as tossups. romney is trailing in every single one of them, according to real clear politics, a website that averages all recent public polls. why is he trailing? romney is losing his biggest advantage. on the economy, voters in ohio now say obama would do a better job. romney may have hoped to gain ground by lashing out at the president after the attacks on egypt and libya, but the move backfired. today, romney struck a different tone. >> and i'd ask that you might each place your hand over your heart in recognition of the bloodshed for freedom by them and by our other sons and daughters who have lost their lives in the cause of america. >> reporter: no political attacks, just tribute for the four americans killed in libya. jonathan karl, abc news, washington. >> there is a developing story. for much more here is abc's bill weir. >> we're keeping our eye on reports of a fast moving fire that's burning through dry brush and heading close to homes in los angeles tonight.

firefighters are on the ground battling a 15-acre blaze, burning near the 405 freeway tonight. they're hoping to contain that blaze with the help of water-dropping helicopters. now, the getty center conducted a voluntary evacuation of visitors and staffers although officials say there's no imminent threat to the museum. while conditions are dry, temperatures soaring to 100 degrees today. winds are calm and crews are hopeful that blaze will be contained quickly. as of now no word on what caused the fire. we shift gears to the photos and the firestorm overseas. the royal family now suing a magazine in france. bob woodruff is traveling with the royal couple. >> reporter: the royal couple put on brave faces as they left the malaysian capital today to tour the jungles of borneo, but there's no escaping the uproar over those topless photos of the duchess and the couple's decision to sue the french magazine that published them.

abc news will not show the pictures but learned the couple were told about them just before visiting a local mosque. the pictures are said to have been taken at this remote french estate where william and kate spent four days on holiday just before the start of this trip to asia. royal officials called the invasion of privacy "grotesque and totally unjustifiable." adding, it was "reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and the paparazzi during the life of diana." >> you just don't normally get those kind of comments on the record, that strength of feeling behind those words shows just how angry they are. >> reporter: it was 15 years ago that princess diana left a hotel in paris and sped away from paparazzi in hot pursuit. she was killed when her car crashed. the paparazzi hasn't changed much, but the cameras they can now buy are powerful enough to take images up to 800 yards away. >> with the lens i have on here, i have the ability to focus a full three city blocks down on

to an elevator shaft, filling my entire frame with that. >> reporter: in the end, the royal couple felt their privacy was so violated by these photos, they decided to take a stand and sue. david? >> bob woodruff tonight, thank you. and there's still much more ahead on "world news" this friday night. in fact, this question. could the next million dollar idea be sitting right inside your home? tonight, the latest mom to show us her made in america invention. and so many parents out there tonight might be asking, why didn't i think of that? those surprising little things she does still make you take notice. there are a million reasons why. but your erectile dysfunction that could be a question of blood flow. cialis for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment's right. you can be more confident in your ability to be ready. and the same cialis is the only daily ed tablet approved to treat ed and symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently or urgently. tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, as this may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure.

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made in america is back tonight, with a new number. 10 million businesses in america owned by women. and this forecast. their businesses will create more than 5 million u.s. jobs in the coming years. and tonight, one mom, hoping her idea will help fuel those jobs. >> hi, david! >> hi, david! >> hi, david. >> reporter: we could tell the boys just thrilled there to be part of their mother's made in america invention. susie taylor of south florida and her husband steve believe they're on to something. this video they sent us says it all. not the ice cream, but what the kids are wearing because of it. bibs. big ones and high tech ones, too. the idea mom came up with on a plane trip. >> my kids were a mess. i was a mess. and i had nothing left in my bag but wet, sticky, gross clothes. >> reporter: so while on that plane, she turned to her husband, who was wearing a fitness shirt and began wiping it off with that. and she noticed something. it didn't stain, it didn't smell and the mess came right off. >> i was like, why you are clean

and we're disgusting? >> reporter: so she began her hunt all over america for nontoxic fitness material. she began testing all types. and where did she test it? on her children. >> i wore them on my kids. i just cut fabric on the table. >> reporter: at first, she didn't have a sewing kit, but she made them and sold them on the internet. >> this is my uncle richie, and he's running production. >> hi, david. >> reporter: now, she's hoping uncle richie will soon have help. and she's asking the sharks for it, going on the new season of "shark tank," hoping they bite on her made in america idea. >> for me, the stuff that i bought from china, the toxins my kids were sucking on, i couldn't morally do that. >> oh, my gosh! how are you? >> reporter: perhaps she'll have success like the other moms we've met. >> oh, i get a hug, oh! >> reporter: spartanburg, south carolina, kim nelson teaching me how to bake those daisy cakes. her mother watching. how am i doing? tonight, we've learned kim has hired two chief executives, a coo and a cfo, and she's sold 12,000 more cakes since then. $300,000 in sales. and there was tiffany, with her ava the elephant. >> hi, david!

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and finally tonight here, our "persons of the week." as we watched those four caskets arrive home today, we realized that there are thousands of unsung heroes, diplomats, all over the world, working in some of the most dangerous places on earth. and so, tonight, they are our "persons of the week." they are the americans, 9,210 state department employees, serving overseas, serving at the forefront in that push for hearts and minds, looking to help so many others around the world enjoy the freedoms that we do. >> hola! [ speaking foreign lang wanl ] >> hi, i'm piper. >> my name is nancy powell. >> reporter: theirs is not an easy job, to prove that america is a friend. who we are, what we stand for. each and every one of them, an

ambassador in their own right. >> all over the world, every day, america's diplomats risk their lives in the service of our country and our values because they believe that the united states must be a force for peace and progress in the world. >> reporter: for many, their posts in the most violent spots on earth. the places we see, afghanistan, iraq, yemen and pakistan. they also risk their lives working in places we rarely see, nigeria, venezuela, sudan. 236 foreign service officers have died in the line of duty. four more names soon to be engraved on the state department memorial. the president and secretary of state visited this week. >> my name is chris stevens. and i am the new u.s. ambassador to libya. >> reporter: chris stevens was so proud having given libya back to its people. so many there letting america now know they are against the attacks. chris stevens was a friend to them, and today, the president vowing that thousands of others like chris will continue his mission.

>> we will never stop working for the dignity and freedom that every person deserves. whatever their creed. whatever their faith. >> reporter: and so we choose the brave men and women who continue their work tonight all over the world. thank you for watching. we're always online at abcnews.com. the season premiere of "20/20," 10:00 p.m. eastern. i'll see you this weekend. diane back on monday. good night.

tonight, secret surveillance of the local occupy movement. the fbi has been keeping watch and taking notes, critics demanding to know why. >> a tactic in the battle against prostitution. we're live where customers of the sex trade have become targets. >> today, chris is home. >> praise from the president from the diplomat killed in the line of